Combined beach bag and sunshade



Feb. 5, 1952 .1. c. DE MARCO 2,584,432

COMBINED BEACH BAG AND SUNSHADE Filed DeC. 4, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l yose ah C I Demo/"ca x20 gw m umg Feb. 5, 1952 J. c. DE MARCO 2,584,432

COMBINED BEACH BAG AND SUNSHADE Filed Dec. 4', 1948 3 Shmets-Sheet 2 Pl f 7' filmmiwg 1952 J. C. DE MARCO COMBINED BEACH BAG AND SUNSHADE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 4, 1948 p '7 i Ii I} 124. E um I 70 sap/i C. Z)777a/"co Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES ANT OFFICE common BEACH BAG AND SUNSHADE Joseph 0. De Marco, St. Paul. Minn.

Application December 4, 1948, Serial No. 63,550 9 Claims. (01. res-7.1)

My invention relates to a combined beach bag and sunshade wherein it is desired to provide a means of carrying beach equipment to the beach and also protecting the user from the sun while at the beach.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a frame which is foldable into generally U-shaped form and to cover the frame with fabric or other suitable material which may be fastened together'to form a bag. The frame acts to support the fabric in panels to serve as the sides and bottom of the bag in closed position theerof. This frame is also foldable into an open upright position in which one panel of the structure is supported above the ground and in gener ally horizontal position. The structure when opened may be used as a sunshade and one of the panels of the bag may be used to support the head While lying upon the sand.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a series of panels supported on generally rectangular frames foldably connected together. Two of these rectangular panels form the sides of the bag in one position thereof, While an intermediate panel between these two panels serves as a bottom panel for the bag in one position thereof. A fourth panel is preferably hinged to one of the bag side forming panels. This fourth panel folds within the bag in closed position thereof and forms a sunshade panel in another folded position of the structure.

An added f ature of the present invention lies in the provision of a bag including a foldable frame work. supporting a series of panels which may be used as a sunshade and head rest. The panel forming one side of the bag may be supported in an inclined position to serveas an inclined head rest. The bag bottom panel may be folded into upright position to serve as a sunshade support. The second bag side may be supported in an upwardly and forwardly inclined position to assist in protecting the user from the sun. The fourth panel of the bag may be folded into horizontal or inclined position to further protect the user from the sun.

An additional feature of the present invention lies in the provision of an easel'frame designed to support the structure in position to act as a sunshade. This device comprises a generally U- shaped frame hinged at the joint between one of the back side panels and the back bottom panel and flexibly and adjustably connected to the frame supporting said one bag side panel.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the fabric covering for the device may be fastened to close the ends and top of the bag so as to provide an enclosure within the bag for carrying various types of beach equipment such as clogs, bathing shoes, a beach blanket, or any other equipment desired to be used on the beach, such as towels or the like.v Preferably the bag is sold in a set which includes the bag itself, a beach blanket or robe, clogs or bathing shoes, and other such materials in matching colors.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the fabric covering for my combined hag and sunshade may be removed from the supportin frame for washing or cleaning when so desired. The fabric is preferably connected to the frame by tabs and snap fasteners and may be removed as a unit.

These and other objects 'and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of my combined beach bag and sunshade in closed and folded condition.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame forming the bag shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of my structure folded to form a sunshade.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame of the device when folded as illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a partly diagrammatic plan view of the interior surface of the fabric covering of the device, the covering being removed from the frame and laid out in flat condition.

Figure 6 is a sectional view and shows the manner in which the beach bag cover is attached to the frame. v

Figure '7 is a sectional view through one of the joints in the frame and shows the frictional connection for holding the frame members in adjusted position.

Figure 8 is a detail section on the line 88 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is an end view of a modified portion of the frameand shows stops for limiting the relative pivotal movement of certain of the frame portions.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the stop elements disclosed in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the sunshade when clamped to a chair or similar device.

Figure 12 is a sectional view through a joint forming a connection between certain of the frame members.

Figure 13 is a view of a strap member used in holding the frame in position to act as a sunshade.

The combined beach bag and sunshade is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings in folded position wherein the structure forms a bag for carrying accessories. In Figure 3 of the drawings the same device is shown in unfolded position to act as an awning or sunshade. The structure in general includes a frame and a removable covering therefor. In order that a clear understanding of the structure may be obtained, the frame construction will first be described. 7

The frame includes a bottom frame member indicated in general by the numeral If This bottom frame member includes a pair of parallel frame sides II and I2 which are connected by spaced integral connectin bars I3 and I4. The frame also includes connecting links l5 and It which are provided with flat circular ends such as I? so that they may encircle the ends of the frame members I I and I2 and be secured thereto.

The frame also includes a U-shaped frame side indicated in general by the numeral I9. The frame side includes a longitudinally extending frame member having a pair of parallel right angularly extending end members 2! and 22 attached integrally thereto. In other words, the frame member I9 is generally U-shaped in form and the free ends of the end members 2i and 22 are enlarged and flat and are designed to encircle the ends of the frame member I2.

The opposite side of the bag includes a frame member which is generally U-shaped in form and is designated ingeneral by the numeral 23. The frame member 23 includes two parallel links 2% and having enlarged flat ends which are apertured. One end of each of the links 24 and 25 is designed to encircle the frame member I I. The opposite ends of the links 24 and 25 are apertured to accommodate the end of the rod 26 which forms the third side of the U-shaped frame member 23. An additional frame is preferably pivotally attached to the rod 26. This added frame member 2'! is U-shaped in form and includesa pair of parallel sides 29 and 3'! and a longitudinally extending connecting member 3 I. The free ends of the arms 29 and 30 are enlarged and flat-- tened and are apertured to accommodate the ends of the rod 26.

The structure also includes a U-shaped frame 32. This frame 32 is shown as formed of strip metal or the like and includes parallel ends 33 and 34 and a connecting member 35. The free ends of the sides 33 and 34 are apertured to accommodate the ends of the frame member I2.

While not essential, cross bars 23 may connect the links 24 and 25 of frame member 23. These cross members insure the pivoting of links 24 and 25 in unison. I r

The bottom frame side I I is threaded at opposite ends as indicated at 36 in Figure 7 of the drawings and a nut or other shoulder forming means 37 is threaded onto each end of the member II. The nut 3! forms a fixed abutment against which a Washer 33 may bear. A friction washer I0 is interposed between the washer 33 and an enlargedflattened head 4| of the link 2d. A friction washer 4'2 is similarly interposed between the enlarged head 4| and the enlarged end I? of the link I5. A friction washers? is interposed between the head I! and a rigid washer 44. A wing nut 45 or similar clamping means applies pressure to the various friction washers to resist relative rotation between the frame member I0 and the frame member 23.

While Figure 7 of the drawings discloses the joint connecting the bottom frame side II and the links I5 and 2s, a similar joint is provided between the bottom frame side II and the links I3 and 25. Thus by tightening wing nuts such as 45 at opposite ends of the bottom frame side II, the frames I0 and 23 may be held from relative rotation.

A somewhat similar joint is provided between the frames If], I9 and 32. This construction is best illustrated in Figure 12 of the drawings. As shown in this figure, the end of the bottom frame side I2 is threaded as illustrated at 46 and a nut or other abutment M isprovided on the side iii. A washer 49 is provided against the abutment i! and a friction washer 5G is interposed between this washer 49 and an enlarged diameter end 5I of the end member 2| or 22., A friction washer 52 is interposed between the head 5i and the enlarged head I? of the frame link I5. Another friction washer 53 is interposed between the head I? and the strip metal frame end 33. A friction washer 54 is interposed between the strip 33 and a rigid washer which is held in place by a wing nut '56.

As will be obvious from an observation of the drawings, by tightening the wing nuts 53 at opposite ends of the bottom frame side I2, the frames ID, If: and 32 may be held at a desired relative angularity;

The joint between the frames 23 and 2! is not disclosed in detail as it corresponds to the joint shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. The ends of the rod 26 are threaded to accommodate nuts or similar means and the enlarged ends of the links 24- and 25 as well as the enlarged fiat ends of the parallel sides 29 and 30 of frame 21 encircle the rod 23 and are held in place by wing nuts 5?. Friction washers are interposed between the relatively pivotal elements in the manner illustrated in Figure '7 of the drawings and by tightening the wing nuts 5! the frame member 2'! may be adjusted angular-1y relative to the frame 23.

The particular joint between the various frames may be varied to some extent, but it is necessary that the frames be pivotally supported relative to each other and the specific connections illustrated in Figures '7 and 12 of the drawings form particular means of forming these joints.

The manner in which the various frame elements fold is illustrated in Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings. In Figure 2 of the drawings it will be noted that the frames I3 and 23 extend upwardly from the base frame I 0. The frame 32 is shown pivoted at somewhat of an angle to the frame I9 for the purpose of illustration, but in folding the frame to form a bag the frames 32 and I9 remain'close together. Similarly,.for the purpose of illustration, the frame 2! is folded somewhat away from the frame 23, but in folded condition of the bag, the frames 23 and 21 are close together so as to require little space within the bag.

When the frame is folded into form for use as a sunshade the parts are arranged as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. The ends 33 and 34 of the frame member 32 are notched as indicated at '59. StrapsBO of the type illustrated in Figure 13 of the drawings are looped at one end BI vto encircle the frame member 20 of the frame [9. The looped end 6| of the strap 60 is preferably secured upon itself in folded relation 5 by a snap fastener 62 of an suitable type so that the straps are removably attached to the frame. The opposite end '03 of each strap is looped to accommodate the end 64 of a hook 65. Each hook 65 is designed for accommodation into a selected notch '59 so as to hold the frames I9 and 32 at the desired angular relationship. The position of the hook 05 determines the incline of the frame I9 as will be noted from the drawings. A covering member 66 is best illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings. This cover includes a bottom panel 61 which is designed to fold along potential lines of fold 60 and I and the bottom panel is connected along these lines of fold to side panels "II and I2. The side panel "II is connected along a potential line of fold 13 to a panel. 14. The side wallpanell2 isconnected along a potential fold line to a top closure panel I6. v v I a The side panel II is connected along parallel potential fold lines I1 and 19 to end closure flaps 80 and BI. The'side panel I2 is connected along similar parallel potential fold lines 82 and 83 to end closure flaps 8 and 85. Flaps 80 and BI are provided with snap fastenerportions 86 and 81 while the end closure flaps 84 and 85 are provided with cooperable snap fastener portions 89 and 90 respectively. The snap fastener portions 86 are designed to engage the snap fastener portions 09 while the snapfastener portions 81 are designed to cooperate with the snap fastener portions 90. When the structureis folded into bag formation as :shown in Figural of the draw ings, the end flaps -B 0 ai 1d 8 l overlap and are secured together bythe snap fasteners described and also the end flaps BI and 85 overlap and are fastened together by the snap fastener portions described. o o. V

The bottom panel .61 is provided with end flaps 9| and 92 connectedthereto along parallel fold lines 93 and. Snap fastener portions 95 and 98 on these flaps 92 are designed to engage cooperable snap fastener portions ill and 09 on the end flaps 84 and 05, respectively, to connect the bottom panel to the end flaps on the side walls in closed position of the bag and to form a secure bottom closure to the bag. I

The top panel I6 is equipped with a pair of end wings I00 and IOI foldably connected thereto along potential lines of fold I02 and I03. The flap or wing I00 is provided with snap fastener portion I04, which engages a fastener portion on the end flap 8,4. I The end wing or flap Hi5 is provided with a fastenerportion I06 which is cooperable with a fastener portion I01 on the end flap 85. Thus when the top flap 16 which projects beyond the frame member .l 9 overlies the top of the bag in folded position illustrated in Figure l, the end flaps I00 and I0 I fold to overlie the ends of the bag and are secured thereto. I

A projecting flap I09 is provided upon the top panel 56 and is designed to overlap the bag side H in closed position of the bag. The flap I09 is provided with snap fastenerportions I I0 which cooperate with fastener portions III which may be either supported on the panel II or upon a carrying handle H2 secured thereto. I

The carrying handle I I2 comprises a rectangular open-frame flexible body having in preferred form a reinforcing bar [I3 embedded within the free end of the handle. The side of the rectangular handle body opposite thatpQntaining the reinforcing member '3 is preferably stitched or otherwise secured at! to the panel II at a point spaced from its upper edge.

A similar handle .I I5 is stitched or otherwise secured at 'I It to the bag panel 12 at a point spaced from its upper extremity. The handle H5 also comprises a generally rectangular open frame having a top handle portion embodying a reinforcing element 1 I1. The handles H2 and I15 are designed to extend "in side by side relation at their upper free ends when the bag is closed so as to serve as a carrying means.

The bottom panel 51 is provided with a pair of opposed strapsi I9 and I20 secured near opposite ends thereof and designed to engag about the bottom frame connecting links I5 and I6 respectively. The straps H9 and I20 are stitched or otherwise anchored to the panel '6'! and are provided with cooperable snap fastener portions 2i which may snap together after encircling the frame members I5 and It.

The panel. 1! is provided with straps I22 and I 23 which are stitched or otherwise secured to the panel 75 near opposite ends thereof and which support snap fastener portions I24 which may snap together after encircling the adjacent parallel links 2% and 25 respectively. The looping of the straps about the links 24 and 25 holds the panel II on the U-shaped frame 23.

Similar straps I25 and I26 are anchored to opposite sides of th panel I2 and support cooperable snap fastener portions I21 which may secure the ends of the strap together after looping about the parallel end members 2| and 22 respectively. In this manner the panel I2 is supported upon the frame I9.

Similar straps I29 are anchored to the panel 72 to overlap the top panel 16 and these straps are with cooperable snap fastener portions I it means of which the upper end of the panel F2 may be anchored to the longitudinally extending member 20 of the frame I9.

The panel It is designed to be secured to the frame 2'! by having its edges folded over the frame and secured by snap fasteners. Snap fasteners I3! and IE2 on opposite edges of the panel it are designed to hold the edges of the panel fOlfiSd to enclose the frame sides 29 and '30 respectively. Snap fasteners I33 are designed to hold the end of the panel 74 folded over the longitudinally extending connecting member I to enclose this portion of the frame. Corners I34 of the panel 14 are cut away to permit this folding operation to take place. a

In Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings I disclose a modified form of construction in which the pivotal movement of the frames I9 and 23 relative to the bottom frame I0 is limited. In this construction a link member 24' and its non-illustrated parallel companion link are provided with enlarged heads cs which are equipped with an off-set arm 5315 which engages bottom frame links (only link I5 being illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings) to limit inward pivotal movement; of the frame 23' relative to the frame l0. In a similar manner, frame ends of a frame member if) (only frame end 2'! being illustrated) are provided with enlarged head ends 5! which are equipped with off-set arms I35 which engage the bottom frame links to limit inward pivotal movement of the frame Iii relative to the frame I0. In other respects the structure is similar to that previously described. I

In Figure 11 of the drawings I disclose the manner in which my device may be secured to the top of a chair or similar structure illustrated in general by the numeral i 31.. In this construction a hook I39 which is provided with a threaded end I49 is engaged in one of the notches 59 of each frame end 33 and 34 and extends through a hook shaped plate Mi embracing the adjacent frame side 2| or 22. A wing nut M2 is mounted on the threaded end 3% and may clamp the plate i li against the frame side 2! or 22, thus clamping the upper portion of the chair 131 or other support between the frames 19 and 32.

It will be seen that my device may be used to carry beach accessories and other similar objects when folded into the form illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, or the structure may be erected to form an awning or sunshade of the type shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The device may similarly be used on the back of a chair or other support for producing a sunshade effect.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my combined beach bag and sunshade, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within th scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A combined bag and sunshade including a bottom frame, a pair of generally rectangular side wall frames pivotally connected to opposite sides of said bottom frame, and a leg unit pivotally connected to said bottom frame, covering material for said frames, said covering material including end flaps engageable in overlapping relation when said frames and leg unit are folded to bag-forming position, said bottom frame being positionable in a vertical plane, said one side wall frame and said leg unit being unfoldable so as to diverge downwardly from said bottom panel to a supporting surface, the other side wall frame being thereby positioned in spaced relation to said supporting surface and, with its covering material, serving as a sunshade, and means to secure said frames and leg unit in either sunshade or bag-forming position.

2. A combined beach bag and sunshade including a series of at least three panels foldably connected together along parallel lines of fold, said panels being foldable into channel shaped form so as to provide a bag having a bottom wall and spaced side walls, and flaps on certain of said panels, means connecting said end flaps when said panels are in channel form so that said flaps form bag ends, said panels being unfoldable from bag-forming position into a sunshade-forming position, wherein one of said side wall panels is upwardly inclined, the bottom panel extends generally upright and the other side wall panel is upwardly and forwardly inclined, leg means connected to one of said panels for holding said panels in said sunshade-forming position, and means for holding said panels and leg means in either sunshade-forming or bagforming position.

3. The structure described in claim 2 and including a fourth panel hingedly connected to the upper extremity of the upwardly and forwardly inclined panel.

4. A combined bag and sunshade including a series of four panels foldably connected together along substantially parallel fold lines, said panels being foldable into bag-forming position and including a first panel forming a side wall panel, a second panel forming a bottom panel, a third panel forming the other bag side wall panel in bag forming position of panels, and a fourth panel foldable alongside of and inwardly of the third side wall .panel, a leg unit hingedly connected'to said first side wall panel, said leg unit being foldable angularly with respect to said first panel to support said bottom panel in upright position and to support said third panel in position to act as a. sunshade, and means for holding said panels and leg unit in either has forming or sunshade forming position.

5. The construction described in claim 4 in which the leg unit comprises a U-shaped frame pivotally connected to opposite sides of said first panel.

6. A combined bag and sunshade including series of four generally rectangular frames in eluding first. second, third and fourth frames connected along three generally parallel lines of fold, said lines of fold connecting the first and second frames, the second and third frames, and the third and fourth frames, a generally U- shaped frame having its opposed free ends pivotally connected at the fold line connecting the first and second frames of said series, means for holding said frames in a desired angular relationship, and means connecting a point on the first frame of the series spaced from the line of fold between the first and second frames to a point on the U-shaped frame member spaced from the pivot connection with said first and second frames to limit separation between said first frameand said U-shaped frame, and a covering for the frames of said series.

7. A combined beach bag and sunshade including a series of generally rectangular frames foldably connected together along substantially parallel fold lines, a flexible covering removably secured to said frames and foldable therewith, said frames including a first frame forming a bag side frame, a second frame forming a bag bottom frame, a third side comprising a bag side frame, and a fourth frame foldable into substantially parallel relation with said third frame, end flaps on the covering overlying the first and third frames, means separably connecting said end flaps, and an end flap on the portion of the covering overlying said bottom frame member, and separably connected in overlapping relation to said first named end flaps.

8. The structure described in claim '7 and ineluding an extension on the covering designed to form atop closure on the bag, and means for detachably securing said extension to the portion of the covering overlying said third frame.

9. The structure described in claim 7 and including an extension on the covering over the first frame designed to form a top closure for the bag and to overlap and be detachably secured to the portion of the bag overlying said third frame and end fia'os on said extension de-v signed to overlap said first named end flaps, and means detachably connecting said end flaps on said extension to said first named end flaps.

JOSEPH C. DE MARCO.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,070,484 Jones Feb. 9, 1937 2,224,846 Anderschitz Dec. 17, 1940 2,290,786 Varady July 21, 1942 2,373,106 Doux Apr. 10, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number. Country Date 171,904 switzerlanda; Dec. 1, 1934. 

